My study abroad experience with CEA Capa was great. While Barcelona itself is pretty amazing and a great city to live and study in, my favorite part of the experience was my professors. The professors I had while at the CEA Capa center were some of the best I've ever had. They were all local to Barcelona and were always interested in our time abroad, asking questions on our travels, and sharing tips. They were super kind, engaging material, and made class super fun. The material taught included Spanish culture but also included the differences between other cultures. And, the other on-site staff in the building were great and super helpful if you had any questions. Barcelona itself is a great city too! You can never get bored and theres always stuff to do, at anytime of the day...and the food is so great. Plus, if you want to travel it's easy to catch trains or flights to other cities in Spain or across Europe.

Studying abroad in Barcelona was honestly one of the best experiences of my life. I went into it thinking it would just be a semester of classes in a different country, but it turned into so much more than that. Barcelona has this energy that’s hard to describe unless you’ve lived it — it’s relaxed, vibrant, social, and beautiful all at the same time. From the architecture to the beaches to the late-night dinners that somehow don’t even start until 9:30 p.m., everything felt different in the best way possible.

One of the highlights of my time there was playing in the CEA CAPA soccer league. Soccer has always been a huge part of my identity, so being able to compete while abroad made the experience feel even more complete. Our team ended up winning the league, which made it that much sweeter. There’s something special about competing in another country — different styles of play, different environments — and still coming out on top. Winning with that group felt like we were building our own little community within a completely new place. It was competitive, fun, and something I’ll always remember.

Outside of Barcelona itself, the side trips made the semester unforgettable. Oktoberfest was wild in the best way — thousands of people from all over the world packed into massive tents in traditional outfits, singing and celebrating together. It felt like a cultural experience mixed with pure chaos. Morocco was completely different — stepping into the markets, hearing the call to prayer, riding camels in the desert — it felt like I had jumped into another world. Switzerland was unreal with its mountains and lakes; it looked like something out of a postcard. Stockholm gave me a whole new perspective on Scandinavian culture — clean, calm, and super modern. And Ibiza? That was just pure energy. Crystal-clear water during the day and some of the most fun nights I’ve ever had. Each trip felt like its own chapter, and the fact that I could hop on a short flight and experience completely different cultures within hours still blows my mind.

But what really made Barcelona special was the culture itself. Everything is slower in a way that I actually learned to love. People prioritize relationships, meals last for hours, and there’s no constant rush like back home. Afternoons feel long and golden, especially walking around neighborhoods near Sagrada Família or along the beach. Even simple things like grabbing coffee or sitting in a plaza felt meaningful. I loved how social everything was — friends meeting late, spontaneous plans, long conversations. It taught me to slow down and actually enjoy where I am instead of always thinking about what’s next.

Studying abroad in Barcelona wasn’t just about traveling or soccer — it changed my perspective. It made me more independent, more adaptable, and more appreciative of different ways of living. It pushed me out of my comfort zone while giving me some of the best memories of my life. Looking back, it really was amazing — not just because of where I went, but because of who I became while I was there.

Before I went on study abroad in Barcelona I was scared that I wouldn’t make any friends, or that I wouldn’t be able to navigate the country without knowing Spanish, but I was so wrong. Choosing Barcelona was the best decision I made. Barcelona is the best of both worlds, it has a good beach and great nightlife. Additionally, in Spain most people speak English, so language barrier was not an issue for me. When i chose a place to study abroad, another big thing for me was how easy it would be to travel to neighboring locations. From Barcelona, I realized you could easily go to many different places like Morocco, France, Germany, Madrid, Ibiza and many more in just a short 1-3 hour ride or flight. I ended up going to Ibiza which was just a 1 hour flight away, and it was the best experience of my life, which I never would have done if it weren’t for this study abroad program, the people I met, and the overall location. The food in Spain was also amazing and never disappointed, and there were many historical and artistic landmarks to see across the city as well which I loved.

As for CEA CAPA, they greeted us immediately upon welcome and made us feel at home. They took us to our apartments and gave us a little tour of our place as we waited for our other roommates to arrive. Making friends was easy with roommates and classes together in the CEA CAPA building, knowing that you are studying or even going on the included excursions with other study abroad students. As soon as they all arrived we went to get dinner together and immediately became so excited for the month to come. The next day was an orientation and we met even more friends and explored the city. If you are scared to study abroad, don’t be. Take that jump it will be so worth it in the end.

I truly could not have enough good things to say about my experience with the CEA CAPA study abroad program. This semester was, without exaggeration, the best semester of my life. I learned, grew, and experienced more than I ever imagined possible, and I can confidently say that I gained far more from this experience than I ever could have at my home university. From the very beginning, CEA CAPA made the transition to living and studying abroad feel seamless. The staff were incredibly supportive, approachable, and genuinely invested in our success and well-being. Whether it was academic advising, housing support, or navigating life in a new city, I always felt like there was someone I could turn to. That sense of support made it much easier to step outside my comfort zone and fully embrace the experience. Academically, the program exceeded my expectations. The courses were engaging, thoughtfully designed, and deeply connected to the culture and environment around us. Rather than learning solely from textbooks, I was able to connect classroom concepts to real-world experiences, which made the material feel more meaningful and memorable. The professors were knowledgeable, passionate, and encouraged discussion, critical thinking, and reflection. I walked away not just with credits, but with a new perspective on learning itself. Beyond academics, CEA CAPA truly excels at fostering cultural immersion. Through organized excursions, activities, and free days built into the schedule, I was able to explore the city and surrounding areas in ways I never would have on my own. Whether it was attending cultural events, visiting historic sites, or simply navigating daily life in a new country, every experience helped me feel more connected to the local culture. I especially appreciated how accessible travel was being based in such a well connected city made it easy to explore other regions and countries, which further enriched my experience. Perhaps the most impactful part of this semester was the personal growth I experienced. Living abroad pushed me to become more independent, adaptable, and confident. I learned how to navigate unfamiliar situations, communicate across cultural differences, and build meaningful relationships with people from all over the world. These are skills that will stay with me long after this semester ends.

I studied abroad this past fall as a senior knowing that this would be my last semester of undergrad. Im so grateful I took the risk and opportunity because CEA CAPA helped me throughout the whole way. I met so many amazing individuals through my program and had the flexibility to travel on weekends! Highly recommend this program in Barcelona if you are looking for a great home base location, since it is super easy to travel in and out of. Also, there is always something to do so being bored is never an option!

CEA CAPA did a wonderful job providing everything I needed to study abroad in Barcelona. The housing was large enough for me and 6 other roommates and me, which allowed for a great experience. CEA CAPA allowed for three day weekeneds and four days of class, allowing so much time to travel to new places. Barcelona also had so many new opportunities for culture and rich history, which is why I consider it to be the best home base. From having the beach, restaurants, and many sights, there wasn't a day that I felt bored.

I studied abroad in the International Business program through CEA CAPA in Barcelona, and I could not have had a better time. I lived in an apartment with 6 other roommates, 4 of which I became close friends with, traveling across Europe every weekend. My teachers were incredibly helpful with understanding the travel students do, while still teaching valuable and easy to grasp content. CAPA also offered various activities throughout the abroad time frame, such as meeting with locals, bus tours, field studies for each class, and really doing everything to get you immersed and familiar with the city you study in.

Barcelona was an absolute blast. I was there for 15 weeks and got to visit 10 different countries, making life long memories along the way. CEA CAPA was super helpful all throughout the application process and while we were abroad. They have a full team dedicated to housing and all of the apartments I saw were super nice, they definitely exceeded my expectations. Barcelona's airport is huge with tons of flights in and out which made travel super easy as well. The nightlife is obviously incredible too. Can't say enough great things.